Brodie Smith impresses in first game back from ACL but Bulldogs win otherwise forgettable game
Brodie Smith impressed on his return from his ACL injury but that was one of few highlights from Central District’s 16-point home win over Adelaide.
THE game will almost certainly be remembered more for Brodie Smith’s comeback from a knee reconstruction than the quality of football but Central District will take its 16-point home victory over Adelaide, even though it frustrated coach Roy Laird.
On a dry day with next to no breeze, the Bulldogs kicked the fewest amount of goals to win a game this season and were hampered by skill errors, concentration lapses and a lack of spark.
They still did enough to beat the Crows, who conceded the first four goals and never led, despite showing signs that they might run over the top of the hosts.
Smith was one of the few shining lights in a game that lacked them, gathering a team-high disposals, taking eight marks and moving well in his first match since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in last year’s qualifying final against Greater Western Sydney.
But for the most part, yesterday’s clash was one to forget.
“Fine day, no rain, no wind — it was a bit of an indictment on the overall game itself, unfortunately,” Laird said.
“We have a fair sense of frustration with the overall performance.
“We win a game and get two points but a lot of improvement’s needed.”
Most of the attention in the build-up to the game had been focused on Smith but Central started far better and held the Crows goalless to quarter-time in what proved decisive.
The Bulldogs looked to play on at every opportunity early, transitioning the ball from defence quickly on counter-attacks.
It did not last as Adelaide put the clamps on after quarter-time, Central’s run and carry diminished and the errors increased.
The Bulldogs managed only 4.12 over the last three quarters, including 0.6 during the final term.
Both teams finished with just three goalkickers.
For the Crows, Smith was the story of the day and coach Ryan O’Keefe was thrilled to see him back on the field.
“He started really well and it’s good just to get that first one out of the way and he’ll get better from there,” O’Keefe said.
O’Keefe said senior coach Don Pyke and the club’s high-performance staff would determine how long Smith played with the SANFL team.
SCOREBOARD
Central District 3.1 4.4 7.7 7.13 (55)
Adelaide 0.1 1.2 5.2 6.3 (39)
BEST – Central: T. Schiller, Barmby, Hately, McKenzie, Presbury, Hoskin.
Adelaide: Poholke, Smith, Wilson, Himmelberg, Marini.
GOALS – Central: Butcher, McKenzie 3; T. Schiller.
Adelaide: Jarman 3, Himmelberg 2; Rivers.
INJURIES – Central: Nil.
Adelaide: Lonergan (arm).
UMPIRES – Scott, Bennett, Medlin.
At Elizabeth Oval